Cartoon Commissions have becoming a big part of my artistic practice of late, what with all the inexplicable indoorsiness that this last year has brought.
With that in mind I thought I’d explain a bit about how I do what I do when I’m not dolled up and at a Wedding; Cartoon Commissions.
I’m pretty lucky, not everyone has a workplace that a cute baby charmingly toddles into! Let’s delve…
CUSTOMERS
I receive cartoon customers through a myriad of social media platforms, email, my website forms, you name it. With the greatest possible expedience I get back in touch and the customer elaborates on what kind of cartoon they want. Some come to me with a detailed plan or draught sketch and others come asking for advice. Both are fine with me, I consider it part of an artist’s job to help the customer realise their ideas and I like to be accommodating.
Good communication is key basically!
WHAT CAN I DO?
I can draw a caricature cartoon from a photo or live with you in front of me, and if you want a composite cartoon of multiple people, for say a family portrait, I can do that from multiple photos (although I prefer working from one photo wherever possible). I’m able to add imaginative elements or other real elements that aren’t in the photo at your request.
If you have had a look at my portfolio and you like a certain style of mine for your cartoon commission, just request it!
If you are commissioning a cartoon or caricature for a certain purpose, like for example a stag do t-shirt or a mug, let me know just in case there are artistic considerations for me to make so the work suits the context. Most people will do the following, but I do like to mention that if you would like me to ‘go easy’ on a certain facial feature when I draw the caricature, just say! Equally, if you want me to be very extreme and over-the-top, you can say that too! Commissions I draw from home can be hand-drawn on paper ranging from A1 all the way down to….well…postage stamp size if you want!
I can offer frames or canvases if desired, I will just require good notice, and as a standard I provide first class signed for UK delivery unless another type of postage is asked for.
Finally, if you would like a message on your caricature let me know, whether on the front OR the back.
THE DRAWING PROCESS
After the second coffee has settled in and my Birmingham workplace is clear(generally an excuse for procrastination), I will begin the pencil outline of your cartoon commission on your desired paper.
After some erasing of lines and re-positioning to get the cartoon dimensions just right I either ink in the black lines with my Uni Pin fineline 0.3(usually) if the customer has asked for a black and white caricature, or I start laying down the undertone colours with my coloured Poscas of all different sizes. I will then usually blend the undertone colours together with an overtone colour, which generally makes it look a lot less manic and more naturalistic. Then I go over the drawing with black line, using every size from 0.1mm uni pins to hefty 15.00mm POSCAS, the latter which are great for vast swathes of black hair or beard! For the finishing touches I will get my bullet-nibbed White Unipin PC-1M and add touches of white for highlIghts, the most important of which being that little dot of reflected light in the eye. And voila, your caricature or cartoon is complete!
DELIVERY
If you order a paper caricature of A3 size or under these are sent to you in a sturdy cardboard tube and as mentioned I provide first class signed for UK delivery unless another type of postage is asked for.
If you order a framed cartoon or canvas then these come wrapped in bubble wrap and packing paper, and postage price may differ according to size.
I will try my absolute best to get your caricature to you in time, just let me know when you will need it for and I’ll endeavour to get it to you in good time before that.
TO CONCLUDE
Well I think that covers my entire cartoon commission process! If you think I’ve left anything out or have any other questions please let me know. I aim to please and want to get your cartoon JUST RIGHT!
Thanks all, and don’t forget to share and like!
Buy a cartoon here–> https://penjones.co.uk/buy-a-cartoon/